Rajnath Singh says JNU Students Have Received Support from Lashkar-e- Taiba

In a controversial statement that evoked wider political condemnation, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that the JNU stir received support from Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed.

Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary said the home minister has to come out with evidence and share it with the country to support his “serious allegation.”

“If there is evidence, then act accordingly that is what we have been saying. Take necessary action but don’t use that as a pretext to attack progressive, cultural and secular values,” Mr. Yechury said.

In a series of tweets, Omar, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said the Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level the charge against the JNU students.

“That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all,” he said. “Cracking down on students & using #Hafiz Saeed to justify the crackdown is a new low, even for this NDA government.”

Earlier, speaking on the ongoing row at the JNU, Rajnath Singh said, “The incident at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand.”

Never should have something been done which puts a question mark over the country’s sovereignty and integrity. On such occasions, the entire country should be speaking in one voice. I would also appeal all political parties not to view such episodes through the prism of political gains and losses,” Singh told reporters in Allahabad.

Asked about the investigation regarding the JNU incident, he said, “Necessary instructions have been given (to the authorities concerned). I have made one thing clear that those who are found guilty should face action but the ones who are not, should not be harassed at any cost.”